Page 235 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

She pauses for a heartbeat before she blurts out, “He is so wonderful, though.” She gushes. “He’s the most handsome male in the entire of Aperion. The sweetest too, though he would hate to be described as such.”

“How would you know that if you haven’t reached your majority yet?”

It’s common knowledge that unless a female has reached her majority and has had her come out, she is not allowed to meet any unattached males.

“He’s a friend of my brother’s. I’ve known him my entire life.”

“Isn’t he ancient?” I frown. From what I remember, he must be around fifteen thousand years if not more. He’s the star of the House of Pyros, the last surviving blue dragon. And although he’s said to possess great power, he’s never had great ambitions for himself, preferring to be a mere general when he could have been king or even a Supreme.

“Bah.” Wyn snorts and waves her hand. “Love has no age.”

“Does he know that too?” I giggle.

“Not yet, but he will. He’s going to come at my come out ball, and I already have in mind a gorgeous gown that will surely dazzle him. He’s going to look at me and see me as a female for the first time and then—” She stops midway through her passionate speech. “You must think me rather silly. We’ve just met and here I am rambling like a fool.”

I smile.

“On the contrary. I hope it all works out for you. I have my own person that I cannot wait to see.”

Excitement shines in her eyes and she suddenly grabs my hands. “Marlowe, right?”

I blink. “What?”

“His name is Marlowe. He is a very dangerous male, but he loves you very much.”

“I… I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I don’t know any Marlowe.”

Her brows knit together in confusion.

“I apologize. Sometimes I blurt things out without thinking.”

“No, it’s fine, but I don’t know any Marlowe.”

The green of her eyes flickers to a pale opal color.

“You will. Not now, but you will. He has faced death three times to be with you. And he has sacrificed much, much more. But his sacrifice is not in vain.”

“What are you talking about?” I frown.

“Your male. He is ill.” Her face falls. “It is an incurable illness, at least for now.”

“How… how did you know?”

Her eyes are glazed over as she continues.

“This will be his second death. But to rid himself of the core of the poison, he must die.”

“No, no, he cannot die.”

“He must. But he will come back to you, Minerva,” she adds in an ominous voice, and I realize I never told her my full name.

“W-who are you?” I ask in a whisper as a shiver goes down my back.

“When the time comes, you must make two visits. One to the House of Moirai and one to the House of Psyche.”

“Why?”

“That thread must be cut before a new one can replace it. If you do not cut it now, you will perish with him.”

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